Signaling apparatus



NOW-17, 1931. c LLE 1,831,873

S IGNALING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 24, 1925 INVENTOR :62 BY W 1 64w ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 17, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHRISTIAN MILLER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO EDWARDS INC, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK AND COMPANY,

SIGNALING APPARATUS Application filed December 24, 1925. Serial No. 77,493.

This invention relates to signaling apparatus and more particularly to that type of signaling apparatus known as annunciators, in which an audible signal and a num 5 her of visual signals may be actuated, the

latter each from a different one of a corresponding number of points or stations.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an annunciator of simple and thoroughly practical construction and of dependable and reliable action. Another object is to provide an apparatus of the abovementioned character in which a positive actuation of the visual signal or signals may be achieved with a minimum complication of apparatus and to achieve thereby a construction conducive not only to inexpensive manufac ture but also to thoroughly dependable and long-continued operation when in practical 3) use. Another object is to provide an electromagnetic mechanism for actuating the visual signals which will be of such a construction and action as to achieve certain of the objects above-mentioned, as well; as to achieve such a compactness of construction that great saving in space and material may be realized. Another object is to provide apparatus of the above-mentioned character in which a positive and dependable restora- 11 tion of the visual signals into their normal or invisible position may be achieved'in a manner not only exceedingly simple but also without detrimentally affecting the achievement of many other desirable advantages. Other objects will be in part obvious or in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements ofpa-rts as will be 1 exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the followin claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown one of various possible embodiments of this invention,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary front view of the apparatus, certain parts being broken away in order to show certain features of 5 construction more clearly, and

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 and as viewed from the right in the latter figure;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of a portion of the apparatus as viewed from the right-hand end of Figure 1, but illustrating the action of the signal-restoring mechanism;

Figure 4 is a side elevation of one of the signaling units as viewed from the left-hand end of Figure 1, and

Figure 5 is a diagram showing the circuit connections of the apparatus.

Figure 6 is a view like that of Figure 4 showing a possible modified construction of a signaling unit. 3

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figures 1 and 2, there is indicated at 10 a main supporting member, conveniently made of wood, and adapted, when theapparatus is placed in use, to be secured to a wall; this supporting member 10 forms part of an enclosing casing, a part or parts of which casing are preferably removable or detachable in order to permit access to the interior thereof and to the apparatus therein. The apparatus within. the casing is preferably mounted upon the main supporting member 10. The remaining part or parts of the casing conveniently include a cover-forming front wall member 12 provided with a series of vertically arranged apertures 13 covered. in any suitable manner by any appropriate transparent material, such as by the glass member 14 which may be secured to the inner face of the cover-forming wall member 12 in any suitable manner. The apertures 13 may be arranged also inhorizontal rows so that there may be provided as many windows or apertures in the casing as there are visual signaling devices within the casing itself. Illustratively the vertical rows are shown in the drawings as comprising three windows and three corresponding signaling devices.

The cover-forming front wall member 12 is preferably made of sheet metal and is provided with rearwardly extending top and Ill bottom-forming wall members 15 and 16 and rearwardly extending side wall members 17 and 18. These rearwardly extending wall members are so dimensioned with respect to the main supporting member 10 so as to overlap the latter, as will be clear from Figure 2, and two or more of these rearwardly extending wall members may be slotted as at 19; suitable screws 20 are threaded into the end edges of the main supporting member 10 and are adapted to be received within the slots 19, thus forming a detachable connection between the main supporting member 10 and the remaining parts of the casing.

Upon assembly of the casing therefore, it will be seen that the fitting of the outer casing-forming portions over the main supporting member 10 permits the screws 20 to be received within the slots 19 and upon a subsequent tightening of the screws 20, the latter may be caused to hold the parts of the casin securely in assembled relation. Vice versa, it will be noted that upon loosening of the screws 20 the cover-forming portions of the casing may be readily disengaged from the main supporting member 10 and the apparatus mounted upon the latter thus readily brought into exposure.

Mounted upon the main supporting member 10 and each positioned in the rear of a window or aperture 13 in the front coverforming wall 12 of the casing is a plurality of visual signaling devices, each generally indicated at 21, 22 and 23. These signaling devices may be arranged in vertical and horizontal rows each in such number as to fulfill the particular conditions to be met. Each of these signaling devices, moreover, is of substantially identical construction, and therefore the detailed description of one will suffice for all.

Taking, for example, the signaling device generally indicated at 22, it may be noted that there is provided a main frame conveniently made of sheet metal, preferably of a metal such as iron, capable of functioning as part of a magnetic circuit, this main frame comprising a plate-like base member 24 adapted to rest against the main supporting member 10 and two laterally displaced and substantially horizontally extending arms 25 and 26, preferably formed integrally therewith. The arm 25 is shaped to provide a vertically directed extension 27 (see Fig. 4) and has rigidly secured thereto the core 28 of an electromagnet, the winding of which is indicated at 29. This winding 29"extends about the core 28 and the latter extends in a direction toward the right, as viewed in Figure 1, to within substantial alinement with the outer face of the horizontally extending arm 26 of the supporting frame member. There will thus b seen to be provided a magnetic circuit for the flux produced by the winding 29 which circuit will be seen to be made up of the core 28, the vertically directed extension 27 (see Fig. 4:), arm 25, supporting base 24 and the opposite arm 26 (see particularly Fig. 2). It will furthermore be seen that between the outer end (the left-half end as viewed in Fig. 2) of the arm 26 and the adjacent end of the core 28, there is interposed in this magnetic circuit a substantial air gap, the function of which, together with the parts forming the magnetic circuit will. be made clear hereinafter.

As above noted, the base member 24 of the supporting frame of the signaling device rests against the main supporting member 10 of the casing; conveniently, it is secured to the latter by means, for example, of a screw 30 (see Fig. 2), the base member 24 being furthermore provided with one or more inwardly directed prongs 31 (see also Figs. 1 and 2) adapted to be received within suitable apertures in the supporting member 10, thereby to prevent relative rotary movement between the plate-like base member 24; and the main supporting member 10 when and where, as is preferably the case, a single securing screw 30 is used to hold the parts securely in assembled relation.

In the extreme outer ends of the arms 25 and 26, there is supported pivotally, as by the pin 32, a signal-bearing device; this device indicated generally at 33 is preferably made of sheet metal and conveniently of a suitable magnetic material. It is given preferably the shape of an inverted L (when viewed in its normal position as shown in Fig. 4:), and conveniently comprises a plate-like sheet metal portion 34 adapted in any suitable manner to detachably receive and retain a member 35 bearing the signaling indicia. This member 35 may conveniently take the form of an appropriate cardboard upon which may be printed the indication corresponding to the signaling device in question; for example, as shown in the drawings the member 35 (see Fig. 1) bears the signaling indicia 2.

This plate-like sheet metal member 35L is provided with two depending and laterally spacedarms 36 and 37 extending at right angles thereto and pivotally connected at their lower ends to the outer ends of the supporting arms 25 and 26, as by means of the pin 32.

The frame work of the thus pivotally supported signal-bearing member 33 is furthermore provided at its right-hand end as viewed in Figure 1 with an extension preferably formed integrally therewith and hence also of magnetic material and so shaped as to eoaet with the air gap in the magnetic circuit hereinbefore described. As will be clearly seen in Figure 2, the downwardly extending arm 37 of the plate-like member 34 is provided with a rearwardly and thence upwardly directed extension generally indicated at 38.

so proportioned with respect to one another a that, when the signaling device 33 is swung in clockwise direction and into the position shown at 23 in Figure 2, the main supporting member or wall 10 acts as a stop to limit the pivotal movement of the signal member about its horizontal axis. It is to be noted, however, that the limit of movement in clockwise direction is such that the center of gravity of the pivotally movable structure 33 is in a vertical plane to the right of the 2 horizontal axis formed by the pin 32; when thus swung up against wall 10 and hence into the position indicated at 23 in Figure 2, the pivoted signaling devise will thus be seen to be dependably held in its normal or inactive position and hence against wall 10 by its own weight.

Should the winding 29, however, be energized from any suitable source of current, the above described magnetic circuit at once be- 1 comes active and the intensity of the magnetic flux in the air gap between the right-hand end of the core 28 and the outer end of the arm 26 causes the rearwardly directed extension 38 of the arm 37 of the signaling member 33 to at once assume such a position with respect to this air gap that the maximum possible portion of the flux in the magnetic circuit passes through the extension member 38. The magnetic pull thus produced upon the armature-like member 38 is thus suiiicient to cause a movement of the latter and hence of the signal-bearing devicc33 in a counterclockwise direction and into aposition approaching that indicated by the member 33 in igure 2; this movement, which ta es place rapidly, is sufficient to cause the center of gravity of the movable signaling device 33 to be shifted from the right-hand side of the horizontal axis formed by the pin 32 (as viewed in Fig. 2) to the left-hand side theretherefrom. The indicating visible signal,

such as the cardboard bearing the numeral 2, for example, is thus moved from the position indicated by the signaling device 23 in Figure 2 to the position indicated by the signaling device 21 in Figure 2; in the former position the visual signal will be seen to be ineiiective, since it is held in a position at right angles to the corresponding window, while in the latter position it is swung into a substantially vertical position and directly in front of the corresponding window in the casing.

There are provided as many stops or bars 39 as there are horizontal rows of signaling devices, illustratively shown in the drawings as three in number, and these bars 39 are extended horizontally to such a distance as to be effective to act stops for the movable elements of the signaling devices arranged in adjacent ver ical rows. The stops or bars 39 are rigidly held in spaced relation by means preferably of a pair of vertically extending rods 40 and 41 (see Fi 1) and rigidly connected thereto; these vertically extending rods 40 and 41 are supported in appropriate guiding brackets 42, shaped to permit vertical movement not only of the rods 40 and 41, but also of the stops 39. Conveniently, the lowermost brackets 42 are so positioned that the lowermost stop or bar 39 rests against them when the rods 40 and 41 are in their lowermost position, the remaining stops or bars 39 being thus held and positioned appropriately to limit the counter-clockwise rotary movement of all of the moving elements of the signaling devices. Conveniently, the rods l0 and 41 are extended in a downward direction and have rigidly secured thereto a crossbar 43 (see Fig. 1) spaced from the lowermost stop bar 39 by a distance equivalent to that which it is desired to give the stop bars 39 in a vertical direction. Rigidly secured to the lowermost stop bar 39 and to the cross-bar 4:3 is an operating member 44 extended downwardly to within a short distance of the bottonrforming member 16 of the casing. lVithin the bottom-forming member 16 of the casing there is slida-bly supported a plunger e5 provided at its upper end with a washer l6 adapted not only to prevent disengagement of the plunger 45 from the bottom wall 16 but also to present an appropriately large surface in order to insure eiiective engagement of the plunger 45 with the operating member 4st upon upward movement of the former by means of the knob or handle member 47.

The movable signal member of the signaling devices within the casing may, after the actuation as above described of one or more, be restored to their normal ineifective position (indicated by the device 23 in Figure 2) by giving the plunger 45 andhence the various stop bars 39 a movement in an upward direction, limited by the engagement of the cross-bar 43 with the lowermost brackets 42. The upward movement of the stop bars 39 in response to the like movement given the supper-ing rods 40 and 41 causes the pivotallysupported signaling elements to be swung in clockwise direction about their pivots; the vertically movable bars 39 effect first such a clockwise rotation as is sufiicient to carry the center of gravity of the actuated signaling device from the left-hand side of the axis (as viewed in Fig. 2) to the righthand side thereof, so that the weight of the movable element is effective to complete the movement, as well as to hold the device in its normal invisible or ineffective position. But inasmuch as the restoring movement of the rods 40 and 41 with their associated bars 39 may be and generally is given such rapidity, the clockwise movement of the signaling element being restored may likewise be of such rapidity that it tends to rebound and tends to resume an actuated or signalindicating position. But, as will be clear from Figure 3, the upward movement of the stop bars 39 partakes of such a path and is of such an extent that, before the stop bar 39 can drop to its normal position, any rebounding action or tendency of the device being restored is effectively checked or damped by the corresponding bar 39 itself. The restored signaling element is thus momentarily locked against rebound, but as soon as the stop bar 39 with its associated parts drops to its lowermost position, the movable signaling element becomes free to be .actuated in the manner hereinabove described. Thus, positiveness of both signal-making action and restoring operation are effectively achieved.

In Figure 5 is illustrated diagrammatically the circuit arrangements of so much of the apparatus as includes the three signaling mechanisms hereinabove illustratively described and shown in the drawings. These three mechanisms are indicated in Figure 5 at 21, 22 and 23. At 48 is indicated a circuitinterrupting buzzer for causing an audible signal and shunted about this buzzer is an appropriate resistance 49 adapted, among other things, to cut down the sparking at the contacts of the buzzer 48. The latter is also indicated in Figures 1 and 2. Any suitable source such as the battery 50 may be used to energize the buzzer and the coils of the signaling mechanisms, and associated with each of the latter is an appropriate switch or push button, for example, indicated in Figure 5 at 51, 52 and 53, one for each of the signaling mechanisms. As will be clear from Figure 5, the circuit of the coil of any one of the signaling mechanisms may be closed by actuation of its corresponding switch, but this circuit will be closed through the resistance 49, as well as through the interrupter or buzzer 48. The latter acts to cause the energizing current flowing through the winding of the signaling mechanism to partake of a vibratory though uni-directional form, and 15 thus made to assist in achieving more efiectively certain of the advantages of this invention.

In thislatter connection, it may be pointed out that, in the practical use of apparatus of the general nature of that hereinabove described, the failure of the operator to manually or otherwise restore an actuated signal permits the apparatus, upon a subsequent actuation of another signal, to give an indication of two signals, as between which the operator cannot thereupon distinguish. But with the apparatus hereinabove described, a second closure of the circuit of the coil of the signaling mechanism thus subsequently actuated causes the corresponding movable signal element to be actuated in substantially the following way 1-- The member 38, after its associated signaling device 33 has been swung into the lefthand position indicated by the device 21 in Figure 2, will be seen to have assumed a position on the other side of the right-hand end of the core 28 ofthe associated magnetic cir-' cuit. A subsequent or second energization of the corresponding coil at once makes the flux through the air gap effective to tend to move the member 38 in a position to close the air gap and causes a pull suflicient to swing the signaling element slightly in clockwise direction. But the weight of the movable part, together with the greater lever arm through which it is effective when swung to the left of the pivot, is such that the magnetic pull (while otherwise strong enough to cause the actuation of the device in counterclockwise direction) is insufficient to swing the device sufficiently far in a clockwise direction to carry the center of gravity thereof over the pivot or axis.

The visual signal is thus lifted and in this lifting action the vibratory nature of the energizing current is effective to slightly vibrate but at the same time hold in slightly lifted position the corresponding signal-bearing element. The operator may thus have the subsequently actuatedsignal clearly distmguished from those previously actuated and not restored, by reason of the second or subsequent closure of the circuit of the one signaling device to bring about the action above described. It will be understood that such an action may be effectively achieved irrespective of the vibratory character of the energizing current, but that certain advantages may be realized by its use.

The inwardly directed projection 38a of the member 38 contributes toward sensitive initial action of the device, and also toward effective operation of the signal devices even though the coil 29 be relatively weakly excited, and this action is further enhanced by utilizing, as in the preferred embodiment, a

pulsating or vibratory energizing current.

In Figure 4 is illustrated the preferred construction of the left-hand end (as viewed in Fig. 1) of the. signal device, such as the device 83, and it will be seen to be substantially similar to the right-hand end (seen in Fig. 2) that is, the member 36 is provided with a rearwardly and thence upwardly directed extension 366 and will be seen to be provided further with a portion 36a directed inwardly toward the-core28 of the electromagnet. The magnetic action (hereinabove described) is thus substantially duplicated at each end of the core 28, and greater sensitiveness of operation achieved. This duplication of construction at the two ends of the core 28 to achieve a two-fold magnetic effect is particularly advantageous to achieve operation at low energization of the winding 29, and is preferably carried out and enhanced by making the base member 24, arms 25, 26 and 27 of a non-magnetic metal, such as sheet brass. Two gaps, one at each end of the core 28, thus become effective in the magnetic circuit, the latter including the core 28, the gap between one end of the latter and projection 38a, arms 3738, portion 34, arms 3636b, and gap between projection 36?) and the other end of core 28.

The left-hand end of the device 33 (as viewed in Fig. 1) may however be shaped as shown in Figure 6, and it will be noted that in this modified form of construction, the members 366 and 36a of the preferred form of Figure 4 are omitted. The arrangement of Figure 6 is preferred where the base member 24 and arms 25, 26 and 27 are made of sheet iron or steel, for example, and hence where they function as part of the magnetic circuit.

It will thus be seen that there has been provided in this invention an apparatus in which the various objects hereinbefore set forth, together with many advantages are successfully achieved. It will be seen that the apparatus is of a. thoroughly practical nature, is of simple construction but of thoroughly dependable operation and moreover is well adapted to meet the varying conditions of practical use. It will moreover be seen that access to the moving parts may be readily gained, as by removing the front cover-forming portions of the casing, it being further noted that the operative connection between the plunger 45 and the operating member 44 of the restoring mechanism is automatically disconnected upon the above-mentioned parts being detached one from the other. Such removal, moreover, will be seen to leave intact all of the active operative parts. The

construction of the individual signaling' mechanisms, furthermore, will be seen to be such as to make possible their embodiment within a very small space, thus making possible considerable saving in space and material, where these mechanisms are assembled in large numbers as is often the case in practical use. p

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention, and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim as my invention:

1. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a member mounted to pivot about a substantially horizontal axis and throughout a range sufiicient to permit the center of gravity thereof to shift from one side of the axis to the other, whereby gravity acts to assist in moving said member to and normally holding it on either side of its axis, a visual signal connected to said member to partake of changes in position as the position of said member changes, means for effecting movement of said member in one direction, thereby to actuate said visual signal,

means for limiting movement of said member in reverse direction, and movable retractive means adapted to engage and swing said mcmber in said reverse direction and toward said limiting means, said retractive means having a path of movement lengthwise of said pivoted member when the latter is in position to be engaged by said limiting means position of said member changes, electro magnetic means adapted to act upon said pivoted member and when energized to effect a movement thereofin a direction to carry the center ofgravity of said member from one slde of said axis to the other, thereby to per- 'mit gra-vity'to' complete the movement of said member, and means for limiting the movement of said member to a position wherein said pivoted member is stillwithin the range of influence of the magnetic field of said electromagnetic means whereby a subsequent actuation of saidelectromagnetic means is effective to swing said member in reverse direction and against the action of gravity.

'3, Inapparatus of the character described,

'in combination, a member mounted to pivot about a substantially horizontal axis and throughout a range sufiicient .to permit the center of gravity thereof toshift from one 3 side of the axis to the other, whereby gravi ty acts to assist in moving said member to and normally holding it on either side of its axis, said member having a portion substantially in the form of an inverted L, one arm of which carries a visual signal, whereby, upon said member being moved into signaldisplaying position, the arm carrying the signal assumes a vertical position and the other arm a horizontal position and upon said member being moved into non-signaldisplaying position, the arm carrying the signal assumes a. horizontal position and the other arm assumes a vertical position, electromagnetic means for operating upon said member, said member having a part adapted to be acted upon by said electromagnetic means, said part being positioned so that it is within the range of the influence of the magnetic field of said electromagnetic means when said member is in either of said abovementionedpositions, means for limiting the I movement ofsaid member about its axis when .ment of said member when it moves about itspi'vot in adirection toiposition said sig- 7 na l-bearing arm substantially vertically.

v 4. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a member mounted to pivot about a substantially horizontal axis and throughout a range suflicient to permit the center of gravity thereof to shift from one side of the axis to the other, whereby gravity acts to assist in moving said member to and a normally holding it on either sideof its axis, said member having a portion substantially in the form of an inverted L, one arm of which carries a visual signal, whereby, upon said member being moved into signal-dis-- playing position, the arm carrying the signal assumes a vertical position and the other arm a horizontal position and upon-said member 7 being moved into non-signal-displaying position, the arm carrying the signal assumes a horizontal position and the other arm aspart being positioned so that it is within the 7 range of the influence of the magnetic field of said electromagnetic means when said member is in a position such that said signalbearing arm is substantially horizontal,.

means for limiting movement of said member in a direction to carry said signal-bearing arm into a substantially horizontal position, and means movable substantially vertical and in front of the pivot of said member and adapted to engage that arm of said L- shaped position which is horizontal when said member is in signal-displaying position and move said member into a position such that said arm is vertical.

5. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a member mounted to pivot about a substantially horizontal axis and throughout a range sufiicient to permit the 7 electromagnetic means for moving said member into signal-displaying position, means forming a stop for limiting movement of said member in signal-concealing direction,

and movable retractive means adapted to en gage and swing said member toward said stop means, said retractive means having a path of movement such that said member is substantially restricted between said retractive means and said stop means and prevented by said retractive means from rebounding.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this 23rd day of December, 1925.

CHRISTIAN MILLER.

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